Chairman of the T&T Veterinary Association Dr Nicholas Mackenzie and the chairman of the Animal Welfare Network, Patricia Green, are in support of a proposal to ban the use of fireworks in residential districts across the country.

The suggestion was made by the chairman of the Joint Select Committee on Social Services and Public Administration, Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir, during yesterday’s meeting at the ANR Robinson Room, Parliament, Tower D, International Waterfront Centre, Wrightson Road, Port -of-Spain.

Mahabir said the Summary Offences Act provides for a $400 fine to be imposed on anyone caught exploding fireworks within 60 feet from the road in a residential area.

He suggested that the distance be increased to 120 feet. He said that would effectively prohibit residents from exploding fireworks in residential areas.

“Fireworks should not be allowed to be deployed in residential areas,” he suggested. Mahabir said if the proposal was made law “ it means, de facto, no resident shall be able to explode these devices.”

Mackenzie said he was in support of the measure.

Earlier, he said the problem was the indiscriminate use of fireworks in the country, insisting that it should be properly regulated. General Manager, Legal, Compliance and Enforcement at the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), Gayatri Badri Maharaj said the proposal may have a positive impact but insisted that the fine should also be increased. She said the EMA was effectively the last resort for dealing with the fireworks problem. She insisted that the EMA was willing to do all it could to assist in addressing the problem.

Green said Mahabir’s proposal may discourage the indiscriminate use of fireworks in the country. She insisted that the fine for breaches should also be significantly increased .

“A change in fine will be more useful. The (existing) fines are ludicrous. A small box of fireworks costs $400,” she added.

She said there was a significant increase in the indiscriminate use of fireworks in communities from Divali to New Year’s Day as citizens celebrated specific occasions.

It was noted that there was not a problem with the Independence Day fireworks display at the Queen’s Park Savannah because there were no houses with animals nearby.

She said in recent years there had been a proliferation of pets being injured as result of the fear cause by fireworks

Mackenzie said the animals, including dogs and cats, suffer distress, fear and anxiety when they try to escape during fireworks explosions.

He said he was aware of “dogs that have jumped 8 feet fences because of fear alone,” adding that “dogs by nature are frightened of flight so they try to survive. Dogs have jumped through glass windows and have been severely injured or even died” during fireworks displays.

He explained that when fireworks exploded a dog or cat was only focused on taking evasive action.

He said: “It is just for survival so there is no reasoning to what they do when they try to escape.”

He also said the animals suffered as a result of fireworks related injuries that were malicious such as cats that have had fireworks strapped to their heads or legs and similarly dogs, iguanas and birds.

“It is absurd that we have a number of reports of malicious cruelty to animals,” he said.

Works and Transport Minister, Rohan Sinanan, proposed that a special police unit be set up to ensure there were no breaches of the noise pollution legislation.

He also recalled his horse jumping over an 8-foot fence and running from Manzanilla to Mayaro after a fireworks explosion

There are differences of opinion among criminal defence attorneys over the new criminal procedure rules implemented by the Judiciary on Tuesday.

Attorneys polled by the T&T Guardian were split in opinion on the potential effect of the rules which are intended to reduce delays in the criminal justice system. The rules are meant to work in tandem with legislation currently before Parliament to abolish preliminary inquiries and to allow for plea bargaining and jury-less trials. In addition, there is a new procedure for prosecutors and defence attorneys to follow for the conduct of criminal trials.

During case management conferences, after indictments are filed in the High Court, both parties are now required to fill out forms listing all the legal issues in the case which need to be addressed before the start of the trial.

Accused persons are now required to state at the preliminary hearing whether they wish to rely on a defence and whether they will be calling defence witnesses.

Judges have a discretion to penalise prosecutors and defence attorneys who do not follow the rules and miss deadlines without applying for extensions.

Judiciary-appointed case progression officers are to be assigned to all cases to monitor their progress.

Senior criminal defence attorney Mario Merritt said he had several issues with the rules which he claims are biased against accused persons and their attorneys.

“They say it will speed up the process but to me it will do the opposite and slow it down because if you put another cog in place before you get to actual trial, the bureaucracy will naturally slow down the actual event happening,” he said.

Merritt has used the rules in several test cases selected by the Judiciary over the past year and is also critical of the new requirement that accused persons disclose their defence.

He told the T&T Guardian: “I find that this is an unfair situation. The playing field has never been level. The State has always had the freedom to withhold information that they think we don’t need and I think that is unfair especially in light with them saying there is no ambush anymore.”

Merritt said the rules will have a negligible effect on the backlog of cases in the system as there are no provisions to address the shortage of defence attorneys in the country.

“There are a lot of complaints about the criminal bar but they fail to recognise that in fact there are a few criminal attorneys manning a whole lot of cases.

“You will get situations where attorneys will have to do three and four cases at the same time, because if you are good, people would want you,” Merritt said.

He also complained that there wasn’t training for all parties before the rules were introduced.

“They would say there was actual group discussion but it is always a selected few on the committees and not the actual practitioners who are in the trenches every single day,” he said.

Senior Counsel Gilbert Peterson, who regularly serves as special prosecutor for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in high profile cases, had a different opinion.

“I don’t think we could have continued practising the way we have been doing and expect the backlog to be reduced,” he said.

“It is a refreshing step that is not going to be the sole answer to the backlog but will significantly help.”

While he acknowledged that there would be issues in implementation, Peterson said he is confident they will be addressed.

“As best as you can draft the rules, it is only when you implement them the areas that can be tweaked will become apparent but that is not a reason against the implementation of the rules,” he said.

He said similar concerns were raised when rules were introduced for civil litigation in 1998.

Peterson said concerns about disclosing an accused person’s defence are unfounded.

“That kind of mutual disclosure has been practised in other jurisdictions and what it does is narrow the issues, so you do not spend forever figuring out what the issues are and what is contentious and disputed,” he said.

What should have been a fun school vacation for 15-year-old Luke Israel Rolle ended tragically on Tuesday when he was accidentally hung while swinging on a tree.

Rolle, of Springvale, Claxton Bay, was enjoying the company of cousins at his grandmother’s Forres Park home around 11.3o am when the tragedy happened.

The children went to a samaan tree atop a hill, several hundred metres behind the house. According to police, the children were accustomed playing on a swing made from nylon rope, which was attached to a tree branch.

While swinging, Rolle slipped and his neck got caught in the rope.

The form four student of the Marabella North Secondary School was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead. Couva police, including Supt Curtis Paul, Sgt Honore, Cpl Pierre and WPC Corban went to the scene. So far, investigations have suggested that his death was accidental.

There was silence among Rolle’s cousins yesterday as they were left traumatised.

Their grandmother Marilyn Richards-David said she complained about the children swinging on the rope before but no one took her seriously. The rope has since been cut and none of the children have returned to the area.

Richards-David said that Rolle had just returned from purchasing bread at a nearby parlour and told her that he wanted to go up the hill to meet the other children. When they were finished, Rolle stayed behind to have “one last swing.”

While he was there, his mother, Elizabeth Richards tried calling his phone to tell him to come home.

When he did not answer, Elizabeth called Richards-David.

“I sent my other grandson Elijah to call him. He came back and told me that Luke was swinging and not answering. His mother called again so I sent my granddaughter to go tell Luke to come now because his mother was calling him. She came back down and told me Luke was swinging and not answering. She said he had the rope under his neck,” Richards-David said.

Even at this time, Richards-David said she did not believe anything was wrong and even the children did not see that Rolle was in distress.

Now upset, Richards-David went to fetch Rolle herself with the intention of giving him a good scolding. But before reaching the tree, Richards-David began screaming.

“When I was going up, I saw him still and his foot was not touching the ground. I called out to him because it was not looking like he was dead. I thought he had just put the rope there and was playing.

“When I called him three times and he did not answer, I bawled and ran to hold him. My other grandson ran up the hill and took him down.”

Paramedics had detected a pulse but Rolle was dead by the time he reached the hospital.

Richards-David said everyone was confused as to what happened but maintained Rolle’s death was accidental and not suicidal. She described him as a happy, well loved and well behaved child.

“I know for sure that it was not suicide. He was well treated and he was a very nice child.”

An autopsy yesterday said he died of a broken neck.

Members of the public travelling between Trinidad and Tobago will not have to hold any strain when the Super Fast Galicia leaves the inter-island ferry route on Friday.

This is because the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago has organised a replacement ferry - the MV Provider - to pick up the slack almost immediately this weekend.

Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan and PATT chairman Alison Lewis made the announcement a joint press conference yesterday.

They also revealed that a barge, named the Transporter, will also be put into service between the islands.

The daily rent of the MV Provider, which is scheduled to make its first sailing on Sunday, will be US$14,500 (TT$97,150) while the Transporter will cost between US$8,000 and $10,000 (TT$53,000 to $67,000). However, both vessels will have a longer sailing time to Tobago than the Galicia, which takes five hours.

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi also announced at the press conference that he is considering legal action against Transmed, the owners of the Super Fast Galicia, for repudiation of its contractual agreement. The AG said he will make a determination on this matter by tomorrow.

In a text message to Guardian Media Ltd, Al-Rawi, who is now conducting a probe into whether there may have been any wrongdoing in the Galicia deal wrote: “The issue being looked at arises because there was an agreement for 18 months with an expiry date in October 2017. I am currently reviewing all aspects of the procurement of the Galicia, including all contractual arrangements and will provide a clear opinion with recommendations as to the accountability with alacrity.”

Having sought a legal opinion on the matter, Sinanan said during the press conference that there was an 18-month contract in place between Intercontinental Shipping - the provider and PATT to use the vessel, which had to be signed off. He said this arrangement was changed in January because Intercontinental wanted a five-year contract instead. In March, Sinanan said they received a letter from the charter to stop the Galicia’s service since they wanted a five-year contract.

“Intercontinental sent a letter stating that they are going to pull the vessel on so and so date. That has to go to the Attorney General to see if there was any breach of agreement based on advice from senior counsel on this matter,” he said.

Sinanan said contrary to what was put in the public domain, he had no information that the Galicia had a month-to-month contract and files were still being sent to the AG for review.

“I thought that was unacceptable. What we would have in Trinidad was a vessel that came in for six months remaining here for eight years. It’s an arguable position.”

If Government had signed this new arrangement, Sinanan said taxpayers would have had to pay “an additional $300 million without a tendering process.”

This led to Government putting out tenders to obtain a vessel, which would close on April 24. The long term plan, he said, is for Government to buy a cargo vessel which would take 30 months to build and get to our shores.

In 2014, the then People’s Partnership government approved $56 million to lease the Galicia, nine days before it received board approval by PATT.

While the revenue obtained from the Galicia was estimated at $15 million, Sinanan said the annual cost to operate the vessel was $50 million.

He also said that there were problems with the Galicia even before it even came to Trinidad. A report on the vessel, Sinanan said, showed two strengths and five weaknesses, as was reported exclusively in the Sunday Guardian.

“However, I did see a report that the vessel is most suited. That to me is another question that has to be answered. The time lines in this whole scenario does not make sense,” Sinanan said.

“A key point here, is that we have paid an attorney to find a vessel in the billing. That attorney was also a tenderer…. did not submit a tender but was invited to tender. After paying the attorney to find a vessel we ended up with a broker who went and charter a vessel and came back and charter the vessel to us.”

Sinanan said they were now questioning exactly who PATT rented the Galicia from.

“The Government subsidised this by a couple hundred per cent. It is nice to say to get the private sector involved. Is the private sector going to subsidise this by 400 per cent? The answer is no,” he said.

“If we charge the real cost of the transportation, then nobody would be able to afford goods and services in Tobago. We have to work with what is on the table. I know the people in Tobago are suffering.”

Seamless transition Sunday

PATT chairman Alison Lewis gave the assurance that from Sunday there would be a seamless transition in getting cargo to the sister isle.

From a list of ten providers, Lewis said three were short-listed. On Tuesday, she said a tender’s committee did an evaluation and two vessels were selected and recommended to the ministry to transport cargo.

“This is an interim situation and therefore it would be anywhere from six weeks to two to three months. We expect that we would be using the Provider probably…for a month in the first instance with an option for two to three months if needed. For the barge it would be in the vicinity of a month with an option for another month,” Lewis said.

Of the two vessels, Sinanan said the Transporter is a Trinidad-owned barge, while the MV Provider will arrive on Friday.

From Trinidad to Tobago, the Transporter, which will carry construction materials and heavy equipment, will take ten hours, while the Provider, which has a seven to eight-hour sailing time, will be used to transport container cargo and perishable goods, Lewis said.

Asked if the ministry expected criticism from the Tobago Chamber of Commerce about the length of time the barge would take in getting cargo to Tobago, Sinanan said PATT would have to schedule the sailing times to ensure there was no shortage of materials.

“Based on the economic situation the country has found itself in, we may have to look at getting sea transportation at a cheaper cost. And speed means money. So it is something we would have to look at.

“If we have to carry sand, gravel and blocks and spend four hours longer... but it is 50 per cent cheaper in terms of transportation…whether the country wants to look at that. We have to fix this problem once and for all,” Sinanan said.

Up to April 13, 2017, 3,155 people were owing the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) over $106 million.

This was the figure disclosed by HDC managing director Brent Lyons at a Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) meeting in Parliament yesterday.

The HDC was summoned by a parliamentary committee chaired by Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe and comprising Opposition and Government MPs and senators.

Responding to a question on debt collection, Lyons said 79 per cent of the HDC’s mortgage portfolio is in arrears. He did not elaborate on this statement.

Asked about the HDC’s recovery efforts, he said letters of notice are sent to tenants occupying houses who are in debt, giving them seven days to respond. He said this letter system was put in place over the last five years or so. However, he said the response from occupiers was not entirely encouraging.

HDC divisional manager, finance, Inskip Pollonais, said debt collection agencies are also hired to help in recovering arrears, but not all the money comes to the corporation. He said people claim they pay the debt collectors but some of the recovered money stays with them (the debt collectors) and some comes to the HDC.

Pollonais said the HDC is now planning to review its arrangements with debt collectors.

However, Lyons pointed out that the HDC is not into the business of putting people out of houses.

“The objective is to help you get back on track,” Lyons told the committee.

He said the HDC policy is to ask those in debt to come in and talk and they offer payment plans to the delinquent tenants.

Lyons also disclosed that there are also over 1,000 HDC units either illegally occupied or simply abandoned. He said there are “live accounts” for some of these units. He said half of these units are “illegally” occupied by second, third and fourth generation people whose relatives were allocated houses.

Asked about the HDC’s housing stock, acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Marion Haynes, said she was unable to say.

Asked how long she had been acting permanent secretary, Haynes said since February 2017. She said the substantive permanent secretary was on vacation and promised to provide the information in writing.

180,000 applicant database

But Lyons, who was sitting close to Hayes, had the answers ready. He said the HDC’s current stock is 5,600. He said most of those units are under construction and 1,000 are available for distribution. He added that over 180,000 applicants are on the HDC’s database waiting for houses.

Bodoe asked the HDC officials to comment on a Memorandum of Understanding signed recently by a Canadian company and a local firm to provide 100,000 houses.

Hayes said the Housing Ministry had no input in that MOU but it will definitely impact the HDC, given its mandate to provide housing. She said no public/private partnerships (PPPs) for the construction of houses are happening now.

Lyons, cutting in, said early in 2016 the HDC advertised for expressions of interest for PPPs. He said the response was very encouraging and the HDC will soon embark on Requests for Proposals.

The PAAC also heard the HDC has had auditing challenges for years, was not up to date with its accounts and could not provide information in this area.

Hayes also could not say whether agencies under the Housing Ministry, like the East Port-of-Spain Development Company and New City Mall, have been up to date with their accounts.

The Housing Ministry received an allocation from the Government of $1,112,107,000 for this fiscal year.

Asked about the ministry’s strategic plan, Hayes replied there was none at present but said they were looking for a consultant to help out with that.

This caused committee member Wade Mark to become alarmed. Quoting from Proverbs in the Bible, he said where there is no vision the people perish.

“I am alarmed after 20 months the ministry does not have a strategic plan.”

Efforts yesterday to reach Housing Minister Randall Mitchell to lend clarity on some of the statements made by ministry and HDC officials at the PAAC were unsuccessful as he did not answer his cellphone or return calls.

Despite being abandoned by a female relative and living in squalor in a house overrun by rats, two-year-old Arti Gajadhar has never lost her innocent smile.

While her father Andy Gajadhar struggles to put food on the table, Arti spends most of her days playing with him inside their ramshackle house at Hilltop Drive, Springvale, Claxton Bay.

The rats sometimes nibble on their toes at nights and Gajadhar said he is very afraid his only daughter will contract leptospirosis.

Oblivious to the dangers, the child plays near the rat holes, which are scattered under the loose, rotted floorboards of the one-bedroom ply-board house.

In several areas where the boards are missing, Gajadhar uses a mat to cover the holes. When it rains the roof leaks and Gajadhar has no choice but to huddle in a corner with the child until the rain subsides.

The house, which has an electricity supply, was built 12 years ago by Gajadhar’s father, Anthony Gajadhar, on the hillsides of a fast developing squatting settlement near the Solomon Hochoy Highway in Claxton Bay. The house is outfitted with a rotted fridge, a dysfunctional deep freeze that works as a storage container, a table, stove and a rickety wooden bed.

In an interview with the T&T Guardian yesterday, Gajadhar, a part time grass cutter, said he wanted nothing more than to have a proper place for his daughter to live.

“This child is my life and I would be very sad if something happened to her,” he said.

He said he became a single parent when Arti was a one-year-old.

“I could not even afford to buy milk or pampers for her. I cut grass for a living, but because I suffer from heart disease and diabetes it is difficult for me to work,” Gajadhar said.

He benefits from a government grant of $1,400 monthly but Gajadhar said this is barely enough to make ends meet.

“I don’t go out and beg because this is setting a bad example for her. I want her to have a chance at experiencing a good life, just as any other child,” Gajadhar added.

Saying he was careful never to leave Arti at home alone, Gajadhar said he places her in a car seat and takes her with him when he has to work. On days when this is impossible to do, Gajadhar says he leaves her with a trusted friend in Couva.

Gajadhar said he had applied to the National Self Help Commission since 2015 to get assistance.

“They came here three times and took photographs, but whenever I check back with them they say they lost my file,” Gajadhar added.

In a letter sent to the Office of the Prime Minister, an official from the Social Welfare Department made a plea for assistance on behalf of the Gajadhars. However, nobody ever responded after that. Gajadhar also said he went for assistance from his Tabaquite MP Suruj Rambachan, but despite promises no help came.

Rambachan could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Contacted yesterday, former manager of the National Poverty Reduction Unit and the Main People Issues Resolution Coordinating Unit of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, Asauph Ghany, said he could offer no assistance because both units were no longer functional.

He asked corporate T&T to help. Anyone wanting to assist Gajadhar can call 276-1942 or 289-4494.

Artist Damian Agostini was brought to tears last week when he showed up at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, to find his artwork gone.

Agostini, who makes art décor and furniture with mostly wood, said he when he arrived at the site where he has his work on display, he was surprised that all his art pieces had disappeared.

In a brief interview yesterday with CNC3 yesterday, Agostini said he was an artist who wanted to “share his gift” with others.

“If I see a pile of wood I would put together what I saw in it. Last week I received the shock of my life when I didn’t see anything. It seemed like time stood still. I saw nothing, I didn’t see a note, nobody. I just walked across the street to get a different perspective,” he said.

However, Agostini said he was subsequently told by several eyewitnesses that the art pieces and furniture were moved by the City Police.

“I made a call and I heard they dumped it. It really broke my heart. I put everything in that, I even have blisters on my hand. It ripped me apart,” he said.

He said the cost of the goods was approximately $20,000.

“What concerns me is the customers who paid for it. I contacted my lawyer,” he said.

Agostini said the sales enabled him to pay his rent and buy food. However, he said he was told that he had broken the law when he contacted members of the Port-of-Spain City Corporation.

“I would move the stuff, they didn’t give me a chance. I was able to go, I really felt like giving up. I didn’t know I was doing anything wrong,” he said.

He said the pieces were bought by ministers, doctors, lawyers and other members of the public.

When contacted on the issue, Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez apologised and said he did not know how the issue was “dealt with.”

However, he added: “He (Agostini) puts his shop on a corner where there is traffic passing on a constant basis and he got started on the wrong foot. However, the police may have been on patrol and decided it was an eyesore or hindrance and if somebody could find themselves in an accident. He should have known better from the start before he did it.”

He added: “It’s obvious I feel for the gentleman, but at the same time we told vendors they can’t vend and they know they are not supposed to be there.”

Martinez said the corporation tries to uphold law and order and reduce crime.

Head of the Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front), Umar Abdullah, believes yesterday’s no-show of several Imams, senior police officers and Chaguanas Mayor Gopaul Boodhan to yesterday’s peace initiative by former Unruly Isis members was a big disrespect.

The peace initiative, led by Abdul “Krysis” Wakeel, was title “T&T We’re Sorry…Be Better, not Bitter” and was held in collaboration with the Masjidus Salaam.

Wakeel, who shot into the media limelight recently after a series of videos with him laying threats and calling names of police officers allegedly involved in gangs went viral, was out yesterday handing out bouquets of flowers to motorists and passers-by, along with bottles of cold water, snacks to children and Islamic motivational posters as a form of restoring peace within the community.

“This is how we’re giving back to the community, as little as it is but it took a lot from me to put down pride and come out here,” Wakeel, who announced recently he was dropping his nickname, said.

Among those invited were Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr, Central Division head Senior Supt Kenny Mc Intyre and Gopaul Boodhan. But none of them showed up.

“Perhaps they had other more important engagements to attend to. We, however, consider this very important and their support is needed as a major factor,” Abdullah said.

Abdullah described this as a big disrespect, but said it will not deter Wakeel and his group from their peace initiative, including future peace events.

Asked how he felt about other Muslim factions staying away from the initiative, Abdullah said they indicated to him that they were more camera shy and didn’t even want their real names to be used.

Abdullah said there was a need for the guns to come off the streets and suggested there should be a gun amnesty.

“If there should be a gun amnesty, there is the need to offer these youths with something more powerful than the guns, empowerment. Give them responsibilities, look into areas that need fixing and ask them how it can be fixed and what they need to do and in that case we would be able to move forward,” Abdullah said.

Asked who he was, Wakeel said he was more like a religious leader in Crown Trace.

“I teach Islam, I lead them in prayer and I teach them how to pray. On a Friday, I give the Khutbah (which is a public Islamic sermon). That is what I do,” Hakeem said.

Asked if he wants to be a better role model to the young people, he replied “Yes. Those little youths look up to me and I want to be a better role model for them. I don’t want them to see me as a gundelero or a gangster and follow that, that is why I am changing to someone better so that they can see that and follow this new way.”

Asked what he thought of the poor support, Hakeem said: “We don’t expect that in one day it will happen. It has to have a perfect understanding and organised talk and that’s how it will happen.

“A lot of people are emotional because a lot of them have lost family members. This is a sensitive situation and we will deal with it cautiously.”

Gangsters should surrender

One of the invitees who failed to attend yesterday’s initiative was Enterprise Imam Morland Muakyil Lynch.

When contacted yesterday, Lynch said in order for peace to be restored in the community, the people who are responsible for all the killings should give up themselves to the police.

Lynch said several of his family members, including his son, Ackmal Lynch, were gunned down and Unruly Isis gang members were believed to be the perpetrators.

On July 22, 2015, Abdullah’s sons—Aqyil Lynch and Ackmal Lynch, 22—were shot by masked men at a construction site in Charlieville. Akmal died but Aqyil survived.

Lynch admitted that he passed by during the initiative and saw only Wakeel and one other person giving out the tokens. However, he said he did not believe their efforts were genuine.

“First of all, Krysis is not the leader of the Unruly Isis. There are five of them and none of them came forward and was seen out there today (yesterday). That gang has about 20 members and not even five of them came forward to participate because why? They are not coming out to support and give no support to Abdullah and them because he is not their leader,” Lynch said.

Efforts to reach Mc Intyre were unsuccessful yesterday as calls to his phone went unanswered.

Boodhan’s phone was answered by someone from his office who said he was in a conference. When asked if he was invited to the peace initiative and if so why did he not attend, the woman said they weren’t sure but promised to look into it and give a feedback.

Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan says the Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi will have to determine if Intercontinental Shipping - the provider of the Super Fast Galicia - will be allowed to retender to service the domestic sea bridge.

Sinanan was responding to a question posed by host Hema Ramkissoon on CNC3’s Morning Brew programme yesterday.

Tenders which were put out by the Port Authority of T&T (PATT) to obtain a vessel as a medium term measure to transport cargo to Tobago will close on April 24.

The long term plan is for Government to purchase a cargo vessel which will take 30 months to build and get to our shores, he said.

“We ended up here because we had a bad start with the procurement of the vessel,” Sinanan said.

Asked if the Galicia would be invited to re-tender for the medium term measure, Sinanan replied, “I know a tender went out ...an invitation to Intercontinental, but that will be determined by the Attorney General in going forward. Because if litigation matters are afoot, I don’t know how that will pan out. Yes, the tender went out and Intercontinental did get an invitation.”

Sinanan also gave the assurance that the Trinity Transporter and the MV Atlantic Provider, which will be used in the interim to transport goods and building materials to Tobago, was done above board by PATT and its tender’s committee.

Asked if former minister of works and transport Fitzgerald Hinds took a note to Cabinet in April 2016 recommending that the Galicia contract be extended for another 18 months from April 2016 to October 2017, which Cabinet did not approve, but which would have allowed more time for Government to approve a replacement vessel, Sinanan said some information about the Galicia was blown out of proportion by the public and media without verifying the facts.

“I have not seen any note going to Cabinet.”

He said, however, that he did see a note for dredging put forward in Cabinet.

One of the municipal city police officers who graduated from a special training course yesterday, was hailed as a hero by a Port-of-Spain business owner, after the officer managed to arrest a would-be bandit/mentally ill man who had ran into her store just before lunch.

According to police, Constable Vedesh Singh, who is attached to the Port-of-Spain City Corporation, responded to a report of an attempted robbery in which the mentally ill man allegedly tried to rob a taxi driver along Frederick Street, near City Hall around 11.50 am.

Police said the man was causing havoc in the city throughout the morning and the call of that particular robbery was the latest in a series of reports made during the day. After the man ran into the store, the owner, who did not want her name or store to be identified, said she began beating him with a chair. She said she did so because the man had closed the door as he entered and she was fearful that he had come to do her and her employees harm. While beating the man, Singh entered and both he and the suspect began fighting, resulting in the man being shot in the leg. The man, subsequently identified as Pascall Roberts, was taken to hospital where he later died.

Singh was one of 50 police officers attached to seven municipalities who were trained in police wireless communications and graduated yesterday following a two-day training stint. But Singh could not attend the ceremony due to the earlier incident.

The officers are now able to connect with the E-999 police wireless communication and vice versa, something that was non-existent a few years ago. All officers under the municipal banner will now be trained in the system, which means they will now be able to send and receive wireless messages about crimes along with their counterparts in the police service.

The training is part of the intended Local Government reform which will give more authority to municipal police, particularly in rural arrears.

The graduation of the 50 officers yesterday was the third batch of officers to be trained in using the system.

Addressing the graduating class, ASP Stevenson Mack said the idea to bridge the communication gap was spawned following a meeting with stakeholders in the lead-up to the Carnival period. Mack, who spoke on behalf of acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams, said he was looking forward to the partnership, as the officers will be the additional ears and eyes of the police service.

Commenting on the shooting incident following the ceremony, Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez said any crime in the capital is not a good thing and he was not happy about the daylight brazen attack.

“Criminals don’t care about time of day any more. They no longer waiting for night, that is scary,” Martinez said.

In a significant break from tradition, the University of the West Indies is expected to appoint T&T businessman Robert Bermudez as its next chancellor.

Current UWI Chancellor Sir George Alleyne is scheduled to demit office at the end of July.

Bermudez is expected to become only the second T&T national to hold that office, the first being late prime minister Dr Eric Williams.

In making the announcement during yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, Education Minister Anthony Garcia said Bermudez was unanimously selected over other candidates.

The university’s Search Committee is made up of representatives from contributing governments, executives from the Senate of the UWI, Students Guild, Post-Graduate Students’ Association and the West Indies Group of University Teachers.

Garcia said the decision was taken after several meetings of the search committee. He said the Heads of Government, at a meeting in February, endorsed Bermudez’ selection.

He said the recommendation will be presented at the next meeting of the Council of the University of the West Indies in Barbados next week.

The minister said Bermudez’ wide business experience had played a key role in his selection.

“It was felt that the UWI should depend less on the coffers of the respective governments and should try as far as possible to generate its own funds,” Garcia said.

“We need to have this paradigm shift where we are looking at ways and means whereby the university can generate its own funds. We felt that we needed somebody with business experience.”

Garcia noted, for example, that the T&T government contributed $650 million to the UWI annually. He said when he meets with UWI officials for scheduled meetings he often raised the issue about the university becoming more self sufficient.

He also defended the search committee over concerns raised about the change from an education-based chancellor to that of a businessman, adding that Bermudez’ vision for the university was accepted.

Garcia noted that Bermudez is chairman of Bermudez Group Ltd, Bermudez Biscuit Company Ltd, Kiss Baking Company Ltd, Holiday Snacks Ltd, Jamaica Biscuit Company Ltd and Massy Holdings Ltd.

On September 11, 2016, the Sunday Guardian published a story about Marsha Arvelay, who was then an Associate Editor of the T&T Guardian after spending 16 years with the media house.

The story focused on Arvelay’s struggle with end stage renal failure, her need for a kidney transplant, her trust in God and her belief in love as the greatest medicine.

Shortly after the story was published, Arvelay found a kidney donor and underwent tests in preparation of the much-needed transplant.

She looked forward to discussing a successful surgery in the future and often imagined life after surgery with her friends and family.

But on Tuesday night, after a dialysis treatment in Chaguanas, Arvelay, 44, was rushed to the Sangre Grande Hospital. She died less than 24 hours later in a hospital bed, while Guardian colleagues, dear friends and family waited for news.

The T&T Guardian newsroom and extended family mourns the loss of a woman who was loved tremendously by all and who was kind to everyone. Many said she possessed a genuineness rarely found in the world.

She was a woman who many looked to as a shoulder to lean on, a friend to laugh with, a page designer when you needed a special touch and perhaps the best cook in the newsroom.

Arvelay worked at the Trinidad Guardian newspaper for over 16 years, creating not only good work, but also nurturing young sub editors and reporters alike, as well as contributing to the family atmosphere which was a signature of the Guardian newsroom.

Arvelay started at the Guardian in May 2001, as a graphic artist in the Special Publications Unit (SPU). She was later transferred to the Editorial Department as a senior sub editor in 2003 and was upgraded to an Associate Editor in 2006. In December 2016, she left the Guardian as part of a retrenchment exercise.

She leaves behind her devoted husband Richard, her loving daughter Jodi Marie, and her wonderful grand-daughter Jada, whom she doted on incessantly.

Her former colleagues at the Guardian, had only positive memories to share.

“I will always remember Marsha, full of laughter. She always could see humour in situations other people couldn’t. An amazing cook and always looking for ways to make people happy. She was always willing to listen and comfort a friend in need,” said Marvin Smith.

Another colleague, Vidya Thurab, remembered her as a mother and a sister, always willing to give advice and support.

Mark Thomas, a colleague who sat next to Marsha at work said the world had lost one of its brightest, most beautiful lights. It may have been her colleague Bernadette Millien-Williams that worked with her the longest, over a period of 20 years.

“We moved one after the next working for the same employer to late last year and in those years I have experienced the best pepper sauce, best sweet bread, best curry, bake or stew chicken, geera pork, cheese paste you name it Marsha made it and it tasted amazing.

Marsha never complained and if she did, it had to be unbearable for her to say something about it. I always observed how calm and collected she would respond to situations and I learned from her disposition that being hasty wasn’t always the best solution.”

The article in September was titled “Love is Marsha’s Medicine.” It would turn out to be the truth in multiple ways. Love was the medicine Marsha gave the people who knew her, with every smile and laugh and squeeze of a hand or hug.

“I love you” were the final words Marsha said to me on Tuesday evening, the final words she said to her dear friend Bernadette Millien-Williams, the final dose of medicine for her loved ones.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.

According to an international newspaper, the Middle East Eye, Crawford, who had been hit it by a US drone strike in October last year, eventually “succumbed to his injuries.”

It said although Crawford had been confirmed as killed, he was added to a list of ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorists’ (SDGT), by the US State Department in March this year.

T&T had also designated Crawford a terrorist.

The newspaper also reportedly contacted Crawford’s mother Joan, who had confirmed her son was hit in a US drone strike in October last year and eventually “succumbed to his injuries.”

“It feels like a part of me has gone. It’s something I know would have happened. As a Muslim I understand and accept, but as a mother I grieve,” the Middle East Eye quoted Crawford’s mother as saying.

Crawford left for Syria in 2013 and was believed to have been the first of more than 100 Trinidadians to leave the Caribbean nation for the Islamic State.

In March this year, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi obtained a High Court Order under the Anti-Terrorism Act declaring Crawford to be a listed entity and freezing his funds.

The order against Crawford, also known as “Abu Sa’d at-Trinidadi” and “Asadullah,” came after several months of intelligence sharing and investigative cooperation between T&T and its foreign counterparts, including the US and UK.

Crawford appeared in an ISIS recruitment video last year, where he called on Muslims in Trinidad to commit acts of violence against “non-believers.” Crawford, 31, is originally from Enterprise, Chaguanas, was also featured in an ISIS online propaganda magazine.

He first entered the public’s eye after being detained during the 2011 state of emergency and was investigated for an alleged plot to kill former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Despite being detained for 14 days, no charges were laid against him.

The US State Department has identified Crawford as an English language interpreter and propagandist for ISIS.

Under US law, sanctions are imposed on “foreign persons determined to have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of US nationals, or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.”

In 2014, his mother had told another newspaper that her son left this country because of a sense of “inadequacy” with what his life had become in T&T and because of the need to find a greater purpose. She had also said he would never leave Syria to return to T&T.

David Brash, managing director of Trinity Offshore Supply and Tow Ltd, which was recently awarded a contract to transport building materials and heavy equipment to Tobago on the Trinity Transporter barge, yesterday promised to deliver to the business community on time.

“I don’t think Tobago has enough cargo to fill the barge. It’s more than adequate. This barge carries a lot of big bulk cargo. We will see what will happen from this week,” Brash said.

Brash, whose company is based in South Oropouche, pleaded with Tobagonians to “keep an open mind. You will see that all the cargoes will be delivered exactly on time.”

His comments came in response to Tobago Chamber of Commerce chairman Demi John Cruikshank claim that stakeholders are still against the idea of a barge operating on the sea bridge.

Cruikshank’s comment came after the Port Authority of T&T (PATT) awarded Brash’s company the contract to transport cargo to on the sea bridge using its 70.2 metre long barge. The PATT also secured the MV Provider to replace the Super Fast Galicia, which will make is final voyage today.

The MV Provider will be used to transport container cargo and perishable goods.

From Sunday, both vessels, which have a longer sailing time than the Galicia, will service the inter-island ferry route.

PATT chairman Alison Lewis said the daily rent of the MV Provider will be US$14,500 while the Transporter will cost between US$8,000 to $10,000.

Asked yesterday if his company offered PATT a reduced price for use of its barge, Brash said yes.

“I gave them (PATT) a longer term price over 30 days. We don’t know if it is going to be there for more than two weeks. I still give it them.”

He said the barge will service Tobago at one third of the cost. Brash said three prices were offered to PATT in the tendering process. For a week or less, Brash said the cost was US$12,000 a day.

“We charge US$10,000 a day for 30 days or less. A daily fee of US$8,000 is charged for over 42 days. We agreed to give them (PATT) the barge for US$8,000 a day,” Brash disclosed.

Built in 1983, the Transporter was re-engineered in 2012, he said. Two years ago it was upgraded with bin walls.

“The barge can carry up to 5,000 metric tonnes,” Brash boasted.

On how many trucks it can accommodate, Brash said this would depend on their size.

“It can accommodate cars, trucks...whatever. The only thing you cannot put on it is passengers,” Brash said.

More efficient than Galicia

Also weighing in on the issue was vice president of the Shipping Association of T&T Garry Dalla Costa, who said the Transporter can accommodate three times more cargo than the Galicia.

Giving details about the Transporter, Dalla Costa said the Galicia can carry a capacity of 1,500 tonnes.

“So we are talking about three times the capacity. So on every one sailing of the Transporter you could have three times the capacity going to Tobago. I can give you that assurance she is in good shape,” Dalla Costa said.

“The Transporter will provide much more efficiency than the Galicia. The reason why I can tell you that, we used that vessel to transport cargo for several companies. The Tobago Chamber of Commerce has nothing to worry about.”

He said the Transporter was also heavily insured.

“The maritime authority has fully approved the Transporter.”

Dalla Costa said while the sailing time of the Transporter was ten hour while the Galicia takes five, “If I sail from Trinidad with a barge this afternoon it can arrive in Tobago early the next morning. It can work.”

Brash also insisted that his barge has a proven track record. It has transported aggregate, freight containers, drilling rigs, lowboys, trucks and trailers, he said.

He said the Transporter has been providing services to ports in Trinidad and Texas and Louisiana in the United States. It has also worked in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

Brash also said the Tobago Chamber of Commerce was jumping the gun by making utterances without seeing the barge’s specifics or in operations.

“As a matter of fact, if the Chamber use their head well, they would get the quarry business in Tobago kicked off. They can use this barge to bring all the materials from Tobago to build the highways in Trinidad. There are a lot of benefits for their businessmen for this barge working in Tobago.”

Truckers at the Scarborough Port yesterday forced the Port Authority of T&T to order the crew of the Super Fast Galicia to make a return trip to Trinidad last night, after the vessel’s crew indicated they were instead heading to Spain directly from Tobago.

The truckers became incensed when, after being made to wait for approximately 24 hours for the Galicia to get to Tobago, the local crew was ordered off the boat around 10 am because its foreign crew started preparations to sail to Spain, indicating their contract had expired and they had purchased their own fuel for the European journey.

But the enraged truckers stormed the vessel’s ramp to prevent it from leaving. The melee lasted for over one hour before the truckers started boarding the boat without authorisation. The action caused a traffic pile up in Scarborough and delayed the afternoon sailing of the T&T Express.

The crew eventually relented and agreed to take the truckers, most of whom were from Trinidad, back to Port-of-Spain. Heavily armed police officers also visited the port, but no one was arrested.

A T&T Coast Guard vessel, the TTS Carlibay, also arrived to escort the Galicia back to Trinidad. An officer also went aboard the Galicia to ensure the passengers and cargo arrived safely, as many feared the vessel might still divert to Spain on its way back.

Speaking to the media at the Scarborough Port, Trucker and Traders Association president Horace Amede said the truckers were ready to take legal action if the Galicia had sailed without their trucks.

“They had no other choice than to take the vehicles back to Trinidad, because this was the original arrangement, that the trucks would go back to Trinidad. If not we were going to take the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago to court, because we have valid tickets for all these vehicles here to go back to Trinidad, so there was going to be a cost for staying in Tobago and every day that those vessels stayed in Tobago, additional cost was going to be added.”

He also reiterated that no trucks will be placed on any barge to transport goods between the islands.

“We don’t want to hear anything about any barge, that comes like a bad word right now,” Amede said.

“That barge situation is a total disrespect to us, because when you travel on the Galicia you are 30 feet from the water and you still get water spray, so how could you put your vehicle on a barge that there’s an eight-feet wall, so imagine what will happen to our vehicles.”

Amede also warned Tobagonians of a possible food shortage if their needs are not met.

The MV Atlantic Provider and the MV Transporter, which will be used in the interim until Government finds a replacement for the Galicia, are scheduled to service the sea bridge from tomorrow.

Chaos on last sailing

Approximately 13 local Galicia crew members were temporarily put off the vessel at the Scarborough Port by its captain yesterday.

A worker who requested anonymity said the crew was ordered to leave the vessel when it docked in Tobago around 10 am.

The Galicia made a round trip yesterday, both of which were delayed by several hours.

The first sailing departed Trinidad at 4.35 am, while the final sailing from Tobago to the Port-of-Spain Ferry Terminal was expected to depart at 8 pm.

The Tobago incident occurred after the Galicia’s trip from Trinidad was also delayed as the crew fuelled the boat for the trip to Spain.

“You don’t treat paying passengers this way because you are paid by the Government to provide a service,” the worker said.

“You could have seen anger and frustration on the faces of the passengers and truck drivers. People were quarrelling and cussing because they were not expecting this. I thought it would have been smooth sailing...at least for the last time, but it turned into chaos and confusion.”

The worker said the foreign crew was intent on heading to Spain until they realised they could face a backlash.

“They say their company tell them don’t put anything on the vessel because they did not get paid to take cargo back to Trinidad. So everybody walked out. It was only until the security outside insisted that the crew be put back on board they obliged. We spent about two hours on the port,” the worker said.

Yesterday, communications manager of the Inter-Island ferry Service, Vilma Lewis-Cockburn, admitted that the Galicia departed Trinidad late.

“Yes, the Galicia left late because they were taking bunkers from since yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. It was delayed by a few hours.”

Intercontinental Shipping Ltd (ISCL) now has the option to replace the Super Fast Galicia with another vessel, but it must fulfil the contract it signed with Government to service the sea bridge until October 17.

Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan yesterday told the T&T Guardian this was an option ICSL could work with to avoid a breach of contract and avoid a lawsuit from Government.

His comments came yesterday after attorney Dr Claude Denbow, SC, representing the ministry and the Port Authority of T&T (PATT), sent a letter to ICSL’s managing director John Powell advising the company to continue its charter hire agreement (CHA) on the inter island-ferry service until October 31, 2017, or face legal action. ICSL is acting agent for the Galicia.

Denbow is contending that withdrawal of the Galicia from the sea bridge was a breach of contract. In the letter, which was dated April 20, 2017, Denbow gave ICSL a 9 am deadline yesterday to respond, which they did.

Asked if ICSL’s response was favourable, Sinanan said some of the options presented “were not accepted, some were accepted.” He said he did not think ICSL had a choice in the matter because Transmed—the owner wants back its vessel.

‘That is the predicament we find ourselves in when we paid an attorney to find the boat. We are holding fast that there was a contract and they did not keep their end of the bargain and we are going to be billing them for any cost incurred,” he said.

Sinanan said one option ICSL can work with is to replace the Galicia with another vessel on the sea bridge.

“They can substitute a vessel that is equal to the Galicia. There is an option based on the agreement that they can substitute one vessel for the next. But they must have a vessel here, even if it is not the Galicia,” he said.

Asked if they have accepted this option, Sinanan said he knew ICSL “was trying to get a vessel here, so if the Galicia remains there can be a smooth transition. We cannot allow the sea bridge to operate without a vessel.”

Asked if his attorneys were still looking at legal action against ICSL, Sinanan said a final letter will be sent to ICSL by Denbow “in response to what they have sent to us. I think by the end of the day...we are adamant we had an arrangement based on the advice of the attorneys and the agreement was breached.”

A copy of the letter, signed by Denbow and copied to Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, which the Trinidad Guardian obtained, drew to Powell’s attention that the original charter hire agreement between the Government and ICSL, who acts as agents for the owner of the Galicia, expired on April 30, 2016. It added that following correspondence between ICSL and the Government and PATT, the charter hire was extended for a further period of 18 months from May 1, 2017, at a daily rate of Euro 14,500.

“Senior Counsel has advised that charter hire agreement (CHA) is still in place. Indeed, its existence and continuing life has been acknowledged by the letter of August 12, 2016 from ICSL,” Denbow wrote.

Denbow indicated to Powell that the daily rate of Euro 14,500 continued to be paid to ICSL by the Government.

“Indeed, the PATT has paid to ICSL the sum of Euro 442,500 for the period April 1 to April 30, 2017,” Denbow wrote.

“Notwithstanding the foregoing and without any prior warning, ICSL by letter dated March 28, 2017, purported to terminate the CHA and give 17 days notice to withdraw the Galicia from service between T&T with effect from April 14, 2017. That date was subsequently extended to April 21, 2016.”

Denbow added, “As you are acutely aware, the Galicia performs a vital role in the speedy transportation of cargo between T&T. Its summary withdrawal from service will cause severe and fundamental disruptions to the conduct of business in Tobago.

“Already you would have witnessed the major outcry which has taken place as a result of the summary conduct of ICSL. Our clients have not been afforded the opportunity to arrange alternative transportation which would have been possible had you given advance notice or adequate notice to terminate.”

In any event, Denbow pointed out to ICSL that they were contractually bound to keep the vessel in service until October 31, 2017.

Speaking to CNC3 last night, Intercontinental managing director John Powell said they were looking into the matter.

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon says an investigation is to be conducted to determine if possible national security breaches were committed when a senior officer at the Gasparillo Police Station went to the nearby Tabaquite constituency office of Opposition MP Surujrattan Rambachan to photocopy police documents.

Rambachan made disclosure of the matter during his contribution to yesterday’s debate on a Government motion in the House of Representatives to approve the nomination of former Chief of Defence Staff, Commodore Anthony Franklin, as the fourth member of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Rambachan said in 2007 the Police Commissioner was given full authority to manage the Police Service, and consequently he wanted to know “how come a sergeant of police and policemen have to come to my office from the Gasparillo Police Station on a regular basis to get photo-copies of charge sheets and time sheets.” Rambachan said this was done up to yesterday morning, hours before the sitting.

Rambachan quickly added that he hoped “that by my saying this that nobody goes and discriminate against Sergeant Maharaj at the Gasparillo Police Station.”

“The public was there when he came to my office and I am saying this and I will defend him,” Rambachan said.

Rambachan told legislators, including Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, that the police officer was “only doing his job (as) he could not find the resources in the Gasparillo station and he was taking the trouble to do it (at my office).”

Minutes later, Dillon commented on the matter as he began his contribution, saying initially that he did not know why Rambachan called the officer’s name in the Parliament.

Dillon then said he had concerns with the officer’s decision to leave the station to copy a document in the MP’s office.

“The problem I have with that is the security implications. Why would a police officer go to a civilian office and photocopy (a document)?”

Dillon said the sergeant could have left a copy at the MP’s office and it could have been “scanned.”

Dillon then told Rambachan he had serious problems “with what (information) you have brought to this House and therefore I will cause some investigation (to take place) to find out why (that was done by the police officer).” He said there were “other resources that are available” for the officers to do their work.

Dillon insisted: “I have serious problem with that from the Member for Tabaquite.”

Leader of Government Business, Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis also endorsed the need for a proper investigation into the matter involving the officer. She said such behaviour should be denounced, adding it was “passing strange that a member of the Police Service should think that he had the right or the need to go the Office of the MP.”

Robinson-Regis said she questioned “whether that officer now feels beholden to the MP for Tabaquite.”

She then recalled another police officer, Surujdeen Persad, had written then prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar identifying a list of officers who should be fired from the Strategic Intelligence Agency (SIA). She said all the named officers were subsequently fired by the former government.

She said she hoped the matter involving Maharaj “will be examined by the Police Commissioner and the internal investigations unit of the Police Service.”

Government and Opposition MPs all layer spoke in support of Franklin’s nomination as a member of the PSC.

A Manzanilla man who had a medical check-up appointment was gunned down before he got the chance to fulfil it yesterday.

Robert Wells, 56, a craftsman of South Manzanilla Road, succumbed to his gunshot injuries on his way to the Sangre Grande Hospital after he was shot twice in the head by a gunman.

Speaking to the T&T Guardian yesterday, Wells’ nephew, Benthley Joseph, said around 2 pm he heard two explosions and went to see what it was, only to hear his neighbour bawling and shouting “Robert is shot and lying on the road.”

Joseph and other relatives and neighbours rushed outside to find Wells lying on his back with gunshots wounds to his head.

The Manzanilla Police Station was contacted and responded to the scene. Wells was taken to the Sangre Grande Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

His wife, Marlene Gobin said before she left home for work he told her he was going to get his medical check-up and then visit his brother at Sangre Grande. Gobin said while at work her supervisor told her there were two people outside to see her and to leave what she was doing. She was met by her brother-in-law and his wife, who told her she needed to go to the Sangre Grande Hospital because Robert had been shot. About half an hour later her nephew called and informed them he had died.

Gobin was not allowed to see her husband at the mortuary, but wept continuously as she hugged and kissed a photo of him.

“Why they had to shot and killed an old man?” she asked.

Wells’ family said they were shocked by the killing, as he was known him to be quiet man always finishing some piece of craft. Wells body will be taken to the Forensic Science Centre, St James, for an autopsy on Monday.

Visiting the scene were ASP Robain, Ag Insp Lutchman, Sgt Ojeste, WPC Ramsundar, Ag Insp Christopher Fuentes and officers of Arouca Homicide Region II. Officers from Homicide Arouca Region II are continuing investigations.

and are confident that an arrest is imminent.

​RALPH BANWARIE

Opposition MP Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie says Government should not implement the property tax at this time because of prevailing economic conditions. He says the 2009 tax should in fact be repealed and replaced with the Land and Building Taxes, which is more reasonable.

He said that the land and building taxes would generate about $100 to $150 million annually. The Property Tax, as being implemented by the Government, is expected to raise $500 million.

Speaking during a news briefing at the Opposition Room in the Parliament yesterday, Tewarie said the Government does not appear to be ready to implement the Property Tax.

He said questionnaires for citizens to submit certain information had not provided for in the law. As such, he said the Opposition did not understand why this was being done.

“There is nothing (in the law) that says you have to send a picture of your property and all the other things that they are asking for,” he said.

Tewarie said the matter should be approached with caution, especially since the current economic climate had may citizens struggling to make ends meet

“The need for revenue cannot override the human, humane and societal considerations,” Tewarie said.

He confirmed the Opposition will challenge the Government’s plan to implement the Property Tax in Parliament. He said if the Government seeks to do things that are not sanctioned by the law to implement the tax “that can be challenged.”

Living in a rat-infested house with two-year-old daughter Arti is finally taking a toll on the health of Andy Gajadhar, who fell ill yesterday, a day after the T&T Guardian highlighted their story of hardship.

Dozens of people offered to help the ailing man and his daughter, who live at Hilltop Drive, Springvale, Claxton Bay, yesterday.

For most of the day yesterday, Arti helped her father clean up their one-room shack in anticipation that help would come to them. But while cleaning, Gajadhar fell ill and had to the doctor. With his daughter in tow, Gajadhar received medication for high blood pressure. His sugar level was also high.

In an interview afterwards, Gajadhar said about 15 callers contacted him offering assistance to purchase, food, clothing and construction materials. Saying he was heartened by the outpouring of love from T&T Guardian readers, Gajadhar said he was concerned that with his failing health he may be unable to care for Arti.

“It hurts me to say this but I am scared that something will happen to me and I won’t be able to take care of her. I would even consider giving her up to a responsible couple who can give her a better life,” Gajadhar said.

He noted, however, that the couple must be able to love Arti as their own daughter.

The ailing father said after his story ran in the Guardian he felt embarrassed about the condition of his ramshackle house.

“Arti was very hyper today. She giving me beans. She wants attention, but I was too busy trying to clean up the place, then I started to feel really sick,” Gajadhar said.

After resting for a while, Gajadhar said he began feeling better later in the afternoon.

He said however that no one from the Ministry of Health had contacted him to discuss spraying or killing of the rats.

“I really need help to deal with the rats because either one of us could get leptospirosis. At nights we cannot even walk on the ground because rats running by our feet. There is also a lot of mosquitoes,” Gajadhar said.

He said a representative from the office of the MP for Tabaquite Dr Suruj Rambachan contacted him yesterday saying the MP would speak with him shortly. However, he said up to late evening Rambachan had not called.

However, corporate communications manager of Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL), Michelle Langton, said they were willing to supply cement to build a decent two or three bedroom house for the family.

Anyone wanting to assist the family can contact Gajadhar at 276-1942 or 289-4494.